Fri 25 Jul - Posted in Breaking News
Time to read: 3mins
Kayden Jackson commended the togetherness and strong bonds within the Derby County squad in the lead-up to the start of the 2025/26 season.
The 31-year-old is entering his second season in Derbyshire, after featuring in every game in all competitions for the Rams last term after signing from Ipswich Town.
Jackson has come back for pre-season with the bit between his teeth in black and white.
The forward scored two goals in the Rams’ last two friendly matches, putting the ball into the back of the net against FC Red Bull Salzburg and Walsall.
He is looking forward to showing what he can do out on the pitch as the preparations for the Sky Bet Championship campaign continue to ramp up.
The versatile attacker also claims that the journey of last season, avoiding relegation on the final day of the 2024/25 campaign, has only brought the squad closer together at Moor Farm Training Ground, with new faces also strengthening the Rams’ ranks in the form of Carlton Morris, Andi Weimann and Patrick Agyemang.
Speaking to RamsTV, Jackson said: “Pre-season is tough, with long days, but it's the building blocks for the season ahead. I've enjoyed it.”
“I’m just getting back familiar with the positions and getting into the box.
“The games have been quite different and, to be fair, we're going to face a lot of different types of opponents in the Championship this season.
“It's just about getting ourselves familiar with the roles and the shape. It's always nice to end actions with goals and end games with wins as well.”
Having been fit and available for the duration of last season, after joining off the back of a campaign with Ipswich in which he won promotion to the Premier League, Jackson says he feels even stronger going into 2025/26.
On remaining fit and ready for the squad, he said: "It's not something that I take for granted. Being fit, that's the be-all and end-all as a player. You can have all these other things that you want to achieve. Ultimately, if you're not fit, then you aren't able to achieve any of that.
“That's something that I'm proud of. The season wasn't how I wanted it to go. Personally, and as a collective. However, I can take something away from being available for every game.
“I wasn't always 100 per cent fit. But as a player, you're very rarely going to be able to go throughout the whole season without any niggles, without any little issues. I feel stronger this pre-season than I did last pre-season. Hopefully that's something to build on.”
After Derby retained their place in the Championship under the tutelage of Head Coach John Eustace last season - the Rams will be looking to push on in the division next time around.
Jackson feels his role and position within the squad has developed along with the bonds created in the dressing room after last season’s successful survival bid.
“There's obviously been quite a bit of change since I first came in - from top to bottom," he said.
"Now it's just a case of embracing the new lads.
“I feel like I've been here a lot longer than a year. The things we experienced together last year which sometimes make it feel a bit longer than it is.
“We're building a strong squad here, and I think the culture is changing. We're looking to be successful this year. I just want to be able to support the team, support the gaffer, be there for whenever he might call upon me and be ready to give my all.”
